Daytona hotel rates, occupancies rise

Wednesday

Aug 21, 2013 at 9:33 PMAug 21, 2013 at 9:36 PM

By JEFFREY CASSADYjeffrey.cassady@news-jrnl.com

DAYTONA BEACH — Hotels here surveyed by Tennessee-based research firm Smith Travel Research rented more rooms at higher nightly rates in July than they did during the same month last year, according to a report released by the company.Occupancy at the Daytona Beach hotels polled by Smith Travel rose to 67.6 percent in July from 64 percent in July 2012. Likewise, the hotels’ average daily room rental rate last month rose to $105.58 from $103.48 the same month last year.“More proof we’re on the right track,” said Jeffrey Hentz, president and CEO of the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, which promotes the area as a vacation and special events destination.The average occupancy rate for Daytona Beach area hotels so far this year, as of July 31, sits at 61.4 percent, up from 58.7 percent the same month last year. The average room rate for the first seven months of 2013 sits at $99.65, a small increase from $99.24 in 2012.Smith Travel mainly surveys hotels that operate under major brands, such as Hilton. Independent hotels make up a large part of the Daytona Beach area market.